UK forces seize suspected Russian oil tanker accused of funding Ukraine war

Article excerpt

British armed forces intercepted an oil tanker in waters off the UK, believing it to be part of Russia's shadow fleet, a network of vessels used to circumvent international sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine. The seized ship is suspected of generating revenue that helps fund Russia's war effort. Shadow fleet operations have become a critical tool for Moscow to maintain oil exports and hard currency flows despite Western sanctions designed to starve the Kremlin of war-financing resources. The interception represents an escalation in enforcement efforts against the covert maritime network that has expanded significantly since 2022.